Rubb Fabric Building News

To those in the Dallas Cowboys community we express our heartfelt concern and sympathy after the tragic events which occurred at the team’s Irving, Texas practice facility on May 2nd. Such events, although extremely rare, are a sobering reminder as to how precious life is and how quickly a tragedy like this can unfold with devastating and lasting consequences.

Over the past days we have received a number of calls and other contacts from current and prospective Rubb customers and other Rubb stakeholders regarding this matter. This statement is intended to address the concerns of our customers and stakeholders:

First, despite various inaccurate reports in the media, the structure involved was a membrane-clad, steel frame supported structure. However the structure was not one of our products.

Second, it is too early to definitively know what caused this tragic collapse and no rush to judgment should be made.

What we do know is that there are significant differences in materials and methods between the various suppliers in the membrane-covered structures industry. We also know that while failures of this magnitude are virtually unprecedented, what we learn in the coming months will give us all the opportunity to learn how to prevent a recurrence.

For our many customers who have expressed concern regarding their existing Rubb structures and their ability to withstand a significant weather event, let us assure you of one thing: our building range products are properly engineered to code standards, they are structurally sound and they are constructed with properly certified and proven, quality materials.

In light of the tragedy, we have added a page describing the standards of quality that all Rubb building range products share. It also highlights the experience of our company and some of the features which we believe make the Rubb product one of the safest and best built structure products in the marketplace.

In closing, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
David C. Nickerson
President, Rubb, Inc.

1-800-289-7822

One of the major advantages of a Rubb aircraft hangar over time is their low-cost of maintenance. Our steel frames are hot-dipped galvanized after fabrication and easily last for 35+ years with little to no maintenance, and our PVC-coated polyester membranes easily will last for 25 or more years. We were reminded of this fact this week when we read about a small town in Iowa being forced to choose between several expensive options to replace the steel roof of an aging air craft hangar.

The roof of the structure in question dates from World War, and while that’s not a bad lifespan, the enormous expense of replacing the roof now points to the challenges owners of conventional structures face. The options they had?

• The structural standing seam metal panel roof, also called the steel roof, would be installed on the existing slope of the roof with a 20-year warranty against leaks. Cost: $457,047.

• The screwed metal panel (exposed fasteners) roof would require an increase to the roof’s slope. Also, no warranty against leaks is available and the roof would require continued maintenance. Cost: $431,172.

• Roof membrane options include a single-ply rubber membrane with a 20-year warranty. The membrane has a 20-year warranty but won’t have the life of a steel roof. Cost: $439,770.

• MOD BIT, similar to the existing roof, will also have a 20-year warranty but won’t have the life of a steel roof. Cost: $462,306.

Source: Ottumwa Courier

Clearly, the options are a good portion of the cost for replacing the entire structure, and presented the building owners with a difficult decision. Ultimately, the Ottumwa town council approved the $457,047 replacement of the steel roof, which will provide many years of longevity but inevitably will require a similar difficult decision to made some years from now.